Sigma 170-500mm - worth it?

Thrasis · 07-19-2010, 01:33 PM

I found a used Simga 170-500mm for under $300. Now, I've heard that it tends to be soft and inferior to the Bigma and primes, but for $300, do you think it's worth it?

All I have in my bag now is a 50-200mm DA (for telephotos) - would really like something longer. Thanks for your opinions.

Mike.P® · 07-19-2010, 02:06 PM

If its the APO version then yes, its worth it.
If it's the DG version then snap their hand off.

At that price you could try it and if not happy sell it on at a profit no matter which one it is.

RioRico · 07-19-2010, 02:10 PM

I bought the Lil'Bigma 170-500 APO DGL new for US$1k +tax last year. Don't tell me you can get it for US$300 -- I'll have to go eat worms and die, or something.

Oh yeah, it's nice and sharp everywhere and fast-focusing and all that, it just weights a ton and I under-utilize it. So I repeat my mantra: OWA TAGU SIAM -- over and over.

Thrasis · 07-19-2010, 02:12 PM

I think it's the non-dg.

Yeh, I guess at that price point, I'm not in for too much. I guess I should mention that there is a little chip in the front element, but it doesn't seem to affect pictures.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-19-2010, 03:43 PM

I had the DG version for a wile. It's a great lens. Works best with f9 or so, better wait for a sunny day. For the money you can have some or even a lot of fun with it. So I say: go for it.

I made this movie with it (turn the sound of)
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua5mkjlwdEw[/YT]

Russell-Evans · 07-20-2010, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by Thrasis

Yeh, I guess at that price point, I'm not in for too much. I guess I should mention that there is a little chip in the front element, but it doesn't seem to affect pictures.

You can go with a 86mm to 77mm step down ring and then a 77mm to 49mm step down ring with the lens without any vignetting. I'm actually using a 77mm to 52mm as 52mm works better with a number of third party lenses that I use. The two step dual ring is just because I couldn't find a one step 86mm to 52mm step down ring. This makes it pretty practical for filters. You can also dump the lens hood as the step down rings are going to do a better job than it in any event.

Thank you
Russell

jjdgti · 01-20-2011, 11:03 AM

Russell, interesting and thanks for the tip

Since 86mm filters are no common, the 77 will do. I will need to get a 86 to 77 step down in order to use the filter from my Sigma 10-20mm 77mm filters.

07-19-2010, 01:33 PM	#1
Thrasis Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wilmington, OH Posts: 60	Sigma 170-500mm - worth it? I found a used Simga 170-500mm for under $300. Now, I've heard that it tends to be soft and inferior to the Bigma and primes, but for $300, do you think it's worth it? All I have in my bag now is a 50-200mm DA (for telephotos) - would really like something longer. Thanks for your opinions.

07-19-2010, 02:10 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Don't break my [expletive deleted] heart I bought the Lil'Bigma 170-500 APO DGL new for US$1k +tax last year. Don't tell me you can get it for US$300 -- I'll have to go eat worms and die, or something. Oh yeah, it's nice and sharp everywhere and fast-focusing and all that, it just weights a ton and I under-utilize it. So I repeat my mantra: OWA TAGU SIAM -- over and over.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax AF-540FGZ Flash, Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6, Sigma 170-500mm F5-6.3	davebest	Sold Items	12	06-25-2009 02:48 PM
Sigma 170-500mm	JCSullivan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	03-18-2008 01:52 PM
sigma 170-500mm? thoughts?	slip	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	03-22-2007 01:21 PM
Sigma 170-500mm? Any thoughts?	ISH	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	02-06-2007 09:33 PM

07-19-2010, 02:06 PM	#2
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	If its the APO version then yes, its worth it. If it's the DG version then snap their hand off. At that price you could try it and if not happy sell it on at a profit no matter which one it is.

07-19-2010, 02:12 PM	#4
Thrasis Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wilmington, OH Posts: 60 Original Poster	I think it's the non-dg. Yeh, I guess at that price point, I'm not in for too much. I guess I should mention that there is a little chip in the front element, but it doesn't seem to affect pictures.

07-19-2010, 03:43 PM	#5
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I had the DG version for a wile. It's a great lens. Works best with f9 or so, better wait for a sunny day. For the money you can have some or even a lot of fun with it. So I say: go for it. I made this movie with it (turn the sound of) [YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua5mkjlwdEw[/YT]

07-20-2010, 08:41 PM	#6
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by Thrasis Yeh, I guess at that price point, I'm not in for too much. I guess I should mention that there is a little chip in the front element, but it doesn't seem to affect pictures. You can go with a 86mm to 77mm step down ring and then a 77mm to 49mm step down ring with the lens without any vignetting. I'm actually using a 77mm to 52mm as 52mm works better with a number of third party lenses that I use. The two step dual ring is just because I couldn't find a one step 86mm to 52mm step down ring. This makes it pretty practical for filters. You can also dump the lens hood as the step down rings are going to do a better job than it in any event. Thank you Russell

01-20-2011, 11:03 AM	#7
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	Russell, interesting and thanks for the tip Since 86mm filters are no common, the 77 will do. I will need to get a 86 to 77 step down in order to use the filter from my Sigma 10-20mm 77mm filters.